Brighter Bites is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings healthy choices into the homes, minds, and mealtimes of families who live in underserved communities in Houston, Dallas, Austin, New York City and Salinas.
Brighter Bites is rooted in the belief that if we give our kids something better to munch on, they will. And the lives they lead will be as vibrant as the foods they crave.
Program Information Our partnered schools receive programming for 16 weeks during the school year. Partner schools and organizations receive four weeks during the summer. Brighter Bites provides: 1) ~25 pounds (over 50 servings) of fresh fruits and vegetables to participating families at each distribution, 2) nutrition education taught in the classroom through a train the trainer model, as well as handbooks, recipe cards and healthy tip sheets for parents, and 3) a Fun Food Experience consisting of a healthy recipe tasting, cooking demo, or other activity. We also partner with other local agencies and produce donors and host annual fundraising events.
Primary Intern Responsibilities include:
- Assist with distribution of Brighter Bites produce bags including: Welcoming families and providing a fun, warm environment for families to receive their bags or boxes.
- Record family participation at each distribution on rosters.
- Assist with Site Surveys and annual Pre, Post, and Demographic surveys.
- Motivate staff, volunteers, and families to try different fruits and vegetables included in the bags by encouraging them to try different recipes provided every week.
- Support Brighter Bites Nutrition Education programming: Learn the basic principles of the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) nutrition education curriculum and share the concepts with Brighter Bites participants.
- Set up CATCH Kids Corner activities and games during produce distributions to engage families with nutrition education concepts.
- During the summer, offer support to site and camp staff by delivering nutrition education mini-lessons to campers.
- Assist site staff with creating and refreshing Brighter Bites bulletin boards.
- Work and communicate effectively with Brighter Bites team, fellow interns, site contacts, volunteers, and to successfully implement the Brighter Bites program and create a health-conscious environment.
- Shadow to learn the ops, logistics, and technology necessary to implement the Brighter Bites programming.
- Take one a special project that is agreed upon by the Senior Program Manager and the intern that will help both the intern's professional development and Brighter Bites to grow.
Depending on availability & interest:
- Support administration of surveys to program participants and learn this research supports proof of impact and how that information is used.
- Data processing, cleaning, and entry.
- Attend meetings at Brighter Bites offices.
- Work on independent projects to improve Brighter Bites program implementation.
Expectations of Fieldwork Interns:
- Distributions happen in Watsonville and at various schools in Monterey County. You must be able to comfortably and repeatedly lift 50 lbs and have adequate transportation. The main office is in Salinas.
- Arrive on time on-site, stay for the duration of their shift, and perform to the best of their abilities. Come prepared having reviewed all materials delivered prior to the Brighter Bites program event.
- Provide at least 24 hr notice in the event of a cancellation.
- Act as a representative of Brighter Bites. Be courteous, polite, and professional with all with whom you come in contact during your participation with Brighter Bites.
- Work and communicate effectively with Brighter Bites team, participating families, site contacts, volunteers, and to successfully implement the Brighter Bites program and create a health-conscious environment.
- Share successes and challenges for each assigned site and provide insight for improvement.
Interns who have excessive cancellations, repeated late arrivals, or behavior that violates Brighter Bites standards may be dismissed from the internship program and the reason for dismissal will be communicated to their professor and/or program director.
Operational and Physical Requirements: Must be able to travel independently to school sites around county area. Must be able to lift produce boxes/bags weighing between 10-50 pounds each on a continuous basis.
The intern will be exposed to all of the following CHHS Competencies:
- Collaboration
- Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, & Mediation
- Cross-Cultural Competency
- Information Management
- Knowledge of Health & Human Services (SW or CH)
- Leadership
- Personal & Professional Communication
- Professional Development
- Statistics and Research Methods
- Systems Management
Basic training will be offered on the first day of service and continue throughout the intern's participation.